she occasionally speaks in language

adjunct formations
using correct participles
indentations leading her
properly configured paragraphs
never ending a sentence with a preposition
or speaking without
proper articulation

and fluid pictures are found
covering the transparency

with remnants of childhood
patterns and textures of fabrics

tasting late season June berries
adhesive of one hundred holiday envelopes

narrow stairs creaking after midnight
the distant pack of wild coyotes

she occasionally thinks in thoughts

overwhelmed with nostalgia
in moments not yet had
reconstructing the pressure
of speaking digestible clarity
his eyes from across the crowded bar
and the tang of scotch and
soda on his lower lip




© 12.10.2010 heather brager

unmeasured.

our deep breaths
are sometimes months in the making
with time standing, stooping
cradling our hesitation and worry
with days striking, stretching,
urging our constant hurry

in various rooms, the vacuum
and tenderness the dust
on the uppermost shelf

we weave every feast
and sharpen our knives
mornings shove us out of doors
we are found, front and center
with our minds, wandering
fetching and cataloging
in particulars and sealing deals

with pleasure in hidden devils
for a moment of couched reprieve
and coveted, unmeasured relief


©11.18.2010 heather brager  

untitled.

images muffled by vacant obscurity
entranced by a silver tongued dichotomy


sharp like bruised tact, a tic intermittent
the sign reads, we’re open at six


the fervent ones, riding each leaden gulp
purring and wet just after 3:00 a.m.


drown by the moon, her fluorescent stare
drinking the inky sheen in sheer resolve


there exposed, quiet like milky thighs
impending three times three distinct slaps


motion and stillness are momentarily magnified
then swallowed inside the ticking clock




©10.29.2010 heather brager 




(photo by Anaris88 via deviantart.com)

Delays.

their routine departures
the left is right, ambidextrous
compounded and condensed
mountainous country to city escapes
halting a destination
by patchwork exits
and liquor’s no solution
for voices bellowing overhead
edgy, just lying in the wait
for breathing to commence

©10.26.2010 heather brager 

Just so.

i’m tying small knots
a macramé of indigenous drifts

pandering subtle threads
of ferocious softness

i'm slipping inevitable strings
and bonding supple thoughts

knitting an invisible net
by needling noiseless doubt

securing gaps in space
with a tapestry of screens

i’m fraying at the edges
and smoothing all the seams


©9.30.2010 heather brager 

The waiting.

the room

could be a vacant tomb

an empty box

shipped over ground

from somewhere

beyond the range



and the freezing

sheets are smooth

and vast across

empty miles and miles

of damp and hungry neglect

against her legs



...but a table

is ready and waiting

dust on the dishes

frost on the panes

as and she longs

to glide beneath

winter’s looming

atmospheric change





©9.16.2010 heather brager

To fall.

they plunged close to the surface
cupped hands and open mouths
silhouettes of birds skimming over
then swooping skyward's gradient
and ladling amber clouds

leaves settled an autumnal blanket
wandering on glassine reflections
swelling wings and sinking sunlight
with other vistas left to the distance

currents drifted over peaks and east
falling, lapping at the sharp edges
resisting chills that crept through the screens
echoing through the gloomy canyons
and decomposing summer’s damages

© heather brager 9.9.2010